He’s a big-band crooner, a voice-over actor and the king of an animation empire whose alter ego sounds like a British B-movie evil genius, drawn in the body of a baby.

Seth MacFarlane is an acquired taste, much like the racy humor in his hilariously raunchy television show, “Family Guy.” If you saw his movie “Ted,” you know that among his specialties are homoerotic, bestial and teddy-bear humor. Once MacFarlane calls the Oscars proceedings to order Sunday night, the ABC censors will have bleep fingers poised.

Expect boundary pushing, or at least the feeling that something unexpected could enliven the event, when host MacFarlane helps navigate the 85th Academy Awards, which kick off locally at 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Channel 7. (Note ABC will take a page from the Super Bowl’s pregame hoopla and make a day of it, with red-carpet coverage beginning at 3 p.m. E! will join in from 3:30-6:30.)

By handing the reins to MacFarlane, the Academy has signaled its hope for buzzworthiness: MacFarlane as host is more likely to light up social media than a veteran comic like Steve Martin (he hosted in 2003 and 2010), a smart satirist like Jon Stewart (2008), or even an awkward pairing like Anne Hathaway and James Franco (2011).

David Letterman (1995) was a boring host. Franco was barely present. But MacFarlane is likely to err on the side of impropriety and may draw in the tough-to-snare younger demographics.

But MacFarlane is only the figurehead of what could be a heavily musical evening in the hands of producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the team behind the film versions of “Chicago” and “Hairspray.” Zadan and Meron are also the executive producers of TV’s ode to Broadway, “Smash,” but don’t hold that against them. The pair have done more to bring musical theater to the masses than anyone in recent showbiz history.

Continuing their efforts to open the world of musical performances to a new generation, they’ve enlisted all-time greats Shirley Bassey and Barbra Streisand to be highlights.

Adele will sing “Skyfall.” Hugh Jackman (“Suddenly” from “Les Miserables”) and Scarlett Johansson (“Before My Time” from “Chasing Ice”) may perform their nominated songs, although nothing has been confirmed. And MacFarlane will probably belt his, as co-writer of the song “Everybody Needs a Best Friend” from “Ted.”

Norah Jones will serve the more contemporary music tastes.

Among the moments the producers have tipped in advance:

• A “Chicago” reunion. Zadan and Meron’s film adaptation of “Chicago” won the best picture Oscar 10 years ago. Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere and Queen Latifah will commemorate the win.

• A Bond salute. Dame Shirley will be part of the tribute to the James Bond movie franchise, celebrating its 50th anniversary year. Bassey recorded three Bond theme songs: “Goldfinger” (1964), “Diamonds Are Forever” (1971), and “Moonraker” (1979).

• Streisand’s first Oscars appearance in 36 years. Zadan and Meron promise “a very special performance” and, given the rarity, it’s bound to be. As long as it doesn’t involve her sharing the stage with MacFarlane.